Kenny Chesney Receives Groundbreaker Award at American Country Countdown Awards

Kenny Chesney was given the first-ever Groundbreaker Award at the American Country Countdown Awards in Nashville on Monday night (Dec. 15).

The country superstar was on hand at the Music City Center in Nashville for the award, which was presented by actor Vince Vaughn.

"Few artists have single-handedly elevated country music to new heights," Vaughn said. "They are the groundbreakers. They are the artists who will never be forgotten. In stadiums and arenas all over America, Kenny's been a game-changer in live music. Tour after tour, album after album, great song after great song, Kenny Chesney continues to thrill county fans and break ground as only he can."

A video clip reviewed Chesney's many career achievements before Vaughn presented the award to Chesney, who performed his latest single, ''Til It's Gone.' The song is the newest release from Chesney's latest album, 'The Big Revival.'

"God gave me an incredible gift, and that gift was, He put a song in my heart. And that song has taken me to places that I never dreamed it would," he said. "That gift has allowed me to connect with millions of people over the years in ways that I never thought was possible."

He added, " Music allows us to find commonality and it validates all of our lives in ways that nothing else can, and that's what I love about music."